Wood Spurge

Euphorbia amygdaloides

About

Wood Spurge is, as its name suggests, commonly found in woodlands, particularly damp and coppiced woods. The ancestor of our garden varieties of Euphorbia (spurge), its attractive, greeny-yellow flowers can be seen from April to June.

How to identify

The greeny-yellow flowers of Wood Spurge have no petals or sepals, but are held in cup-shaped bracts and appear in clusters. The upright stems carry long, narrow leaves, often tinged with red and evergreen.

Where to find it

Found mainly in southern England; scarce elsewhere.

Habitats

When to find it

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

How can people help

The Wildlife Trusts manage many woodland nature reserves sympathetically for a range of spring flowers, from the unusual-looking Wood Spurge to fragrant Ramsons, showy Bluebells to delicate Wood Anemones. A mix of coppicing, scrub-cutting and ride maintenance open up the woodland floor to the sun, helping many flowers and plants to thrive. You can help too: volunteer for your local Wildlife Trust and you could be involved in everything from traditional forest crafts to raising awareness about woodland wildlife.